Alaska trip

[stosiak]

I am a newbie at photography. Been lurking on here for a while. Going on a trip to Alaska in June and looking for a way to have my camera ready to take pictures. I have a 40D body, 17-40L,100-400L,50 prime. I purchased a Kata 103 backpack but I feel it will take to long to take the gear out if I see a shot I would like to take. Been looking at the Think Tank Digital Holster 50, for the body and 100-400 lens. A speed belt with a lens changer 50 for the 17-40.Looking for any input. Also looking for a mono pod and a ball head. Do I need a ball head to attach to the mono pod or how does this work. I think i just need the mono pod for the 100-400 lens is that correct. Sorry for all the questions.

[SYS]

I also own a Kata R-103 backpack which I use when traveling. But for quick draw situations, I prefer the following Kata "Torso" pack:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=566336

The Kata backpack and its "Torso Pack" go together very well...

My first ever Alaska trip is planned for the summer of 2010, and I'm planning on taking these two bags.

[trophy_23]

I am going on a cruise in early May... Last time I went I had very little gear (it all fit in a Lowepro 180EX) I have since acquired more lenses and now have the Lowepro Mini Trekker. I found that there really wasn't a huge urgency to switch lenses, for me anyways. I was either doing landscapes OR wildlife so I didn't switch too much. I think a lot will depend on which excursions you decide to do and weather there is wildlife viewing involved. Either way its an amazing trip and your going to have a blast!!!

[ejicon]

I don't recommend taking a shoulder camera bag especially if you're taking a lot of gear. It can really strain your neck and shoulders in the long run. I really like the idea of the Flipside 400AW: http://products.lowepro.com/product/Flipside-400-AW,2116,14.htm

I took the Lowepre Mini Trekker with one on my trip to Italy last week. Having the AW option was a plus. The one day that it rained while on a tour, I was able to take the All Weather cover out and it worked like a charm. That alone was worth it. So.. really consider your options and I hope you find the right bag.

[ed rader]

I am a newbie at photography. Been lurking on here for a while. Going on a trip to Alaska in June and looking for a way to have my camera ready to take pictures. I have a 40D body, 17-40L,100-400L,50 prime. I purchased a Kata 103 backpack but I feel it will take to long to take the gear out if I see a shot I would like to take. Been looking at the Think Tank Digital Holster 50, for the body and 100-400 lens. A speed belt with a lens changer 50 for the 17-40.Looking for any input. Also looking for a mono pod and a ball head. Do I need a ball head to attach to the mono pod or how does this work. I think i just need the mono pod for the 100-400 lens is that correct. Sorry for all the questions.


we're going to alaska in august too and i have some of the same concerns as you. i want to be able to access both of my cameras fairly quickly while we are hiking to photograph the brown bears. once we arrive we'll be confined to a small area so no problem there.

i've decided so far to carry a backpack -- think tank antidote -- and i'll have one camera around the neck. i'd like to be able to access the other camera too without taking off the pack.

the front pockets of a domke vest will carry a 1d body in one and a lens like the 24-70L in the other.

my long lens will be the 100-400L and i use it alot with a monopod. i recommend a tilt head or just a QR. i normally use a tilt but now i'm trying out just a really right stuff flip lever release. i would not recommend a ballhead.

i've also looked at various chest and belt systems...but i still haven't decided exactly what i'll use besides a back pack and maybe a domke vest ... good luck :D.

ed rader

[Jason Kim]

Try Manfrotto 3232 Head. It's not too expensive.

[ed rader]

Try Manfrotto 3232 Head. It's not too expensive.


i used a manfrotto tilt with kirk QR for awhile. i hated the QR. i actually prefer the manfrotto QR to the kirk. it's much cheaper too :D.

ed rader

[Jason Kim]

i used a manfrotto tilt with kirk QR for awhile. i hated the QR. i actually prefer the manfrotto QR to the kirk. it's much cheaper too :D.

ed rader

Mine is mated with Markins clamp leftover when I did Markin/RRS Lever Clamp. I don't use enough of monpod to justify another RRS Lever Clamp purchase.

[ed rader]

Mine is mated with Markins clamp leftover when I did Markin/RRS Lever Clamp. I don't use enough of monpod to justify another RRS Lever Clamp purchase.

i use a monopod alot, and i get sloppy in the heat of action. once my monopod came loose and fell off because i didn't tighten the QR enough and a couple of weeks ago my 1ds nearly slid out of the mount on my tripod because i didn't tighten it enough. you can't really use the stop screws on the camera/lens plates unless you top load the lens/camera into the QR, which is a major pain unless you use a flip lever release.

i have since outfitted both my tripod and monopod with RRS flip levers.

how many bags did you say you owned, Jason :D?

ed rader

[Jason Kim]

how many bags did you say you owned, Jason :D?

ed rader

I haven't counted. Check my gear list. ;)

[ed rader]

I haven't counted. Check my gear list. ;)

dang! imelda marcos was more focussed but you do seem to have the excess thing down too ;).

ed rader

[stosiak]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I ordered the think tank digital 50 holster and speed belt and received the lens changer for free. Could not pass it up.
Still trying to decide on mono pod,quick release, tilt head, or ball head.

Ed Rader why not recommend ball head for mono pod. heard good reviews of the 488rs2